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Angina (also known as angina pectoris) is a type of chest pain that is most commonly a symptom of coronary heart disease. Angina occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the heart, which may be caused by the narrowing or blockage of arteries. Angina is often hard to distinguish from other chest pains, such as the discomfort of indigestion. Therefore, it is important to seek urgent medical attention if you have unexplained chest pain/angina.
There are several types of angina, including:
Stable angina is the most common form of angina. It usually happens when the heart is working harder than usual and relives by resting. It occurs when the heart arteries are narrowed or blocked, causing an insufficient supply of blood to the heart muscle. Stable angina tends to have a regular pattern, with episodes taking on a similar character, though the symptoms of angina can be variable, especially in women; sometimes shortness of breath can be the only sensation. Angina can have a short duration of 5 minutes or less and is usually relieved by rest or medication.
Unstable angina is the most dangerous type. It is considered an emergency and you should seek medical attention immediately, as it may indicate an impending heart attack. In this situation the fatty plaque is unstable or causing a critical narrowing of the artery; the plaque can rupture and cause a sudden total blockage of the coronary blood vessel that impedes flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Microvascular angina is a symptom of coronary microvascular disease, which affects the small branch coronary artery blood vessels. Microvascular angina is caused by spasms within the walls of the small blood vessels, which reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
Vasospastic angina (also referred to as Prinzmetal angina) is rare. It is most commonly caused by spasms in the large coronary arteries that are triggered by exertion or emotional stress. Vasospastic angina occurs when a person is at rest, usually during the early morning or midnight. These attacks are more common in younger patients and are very painful.
The specific causes and risk factors of different types of angina includes:
Stable angina is usually caused by coronary heart disease. Therefore, you will be at risk for angina if you are at risk for coronary heart disease. The risk factors include:
Stable angina can be triggered by:
Chest pain mimicking angina can also be caused by other conditions such as:
Angina may present with chest pain and discomfort, commonly described as pressure, squeezing, burning or fullness. Other associated symptoms include:
Characteristics symptoms of stable angina include:
Angina symptoms may also differ between men and women. Women may also experience symptoms such as:
Characteristics symptoms of unstable angina include:
Characteristics symptoms of microvascular angina include:
Characteristics symptoms of vasospastic angina include:
Treatment of angina depends on the specific types and general health of the patient. Treatment options range from lifestyle modification, medication, angioplasty and stenting, to coronary bypass surgery. The ultimate goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of angina symptoms and lower the risk of heart attack and death.
Several medications can improve angina symptoms, including:
In addition to medical therapy, medical procedures such as angioplasty, stenting and coronary artery bypass surgery may also be recommended to treat angina.
Angina can be prevented by making some general lifestyle changes, these include:
Angina is characterised by chest pain and discomfort such as pressure, squeezing, burning, and fullness. You may also experience pain in other body parts such as the neck, jaw, arms, back, or shoulders.
Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery can effectively relieve and control the disease process underlying angina.
Angina patients should avoid saturated fat and trans-fats. These are typically found in fried food, baked food, processed food.
Angina is most commonly caused by heart artery blockages.
Unstable angina is an emergency that is a precursor to a heart attack, consequences of which include heart failure and dangerously irregular heart rhythms.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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